need help tach not working
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need help tach not working
Hello all , I am new to the forum and just got my truck. Since I got my truck the rpm gauge does not work. I really don't know where to start. HELP!!! sorry 1986 f150 i6 manual 4 speed
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
For starters, what year is your engine/truck?
Also, be sure to post your question in the forum for your year and style of truck, as those deal more with the "body" of the truck, whereas this forum is for the engine itself.
If it's an older truck, it's possible that the tach itself may just be old. The tach in my '86 simply had a stiff needle. I tried graphite, etc. but couldn't get it to loosen up. Finally, just swapped it with another unit from the junk yard and it popped to life.
Also, be sure to post your question in the forum for your year and style of truck, as those deal more with the "body" of the truck, whereas this forum is for the engine itself.
If it's an older truck, it's possible that the tach itself may just be old. The tach in my '86 simply had a stiff needle. I tried graphite, etc. but couldn't get it to loosen up. Finally, just swapped it with another unit from the junk yard and it popped to life.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Have you checked your fuses? I've had my tach quit when a fuse blew.
Other than that, your tach gets its signals from the wiring harness and a large plug that goes into the back of your gauge cluster. There aren't separate wires for it that you can track down. My guess would be the tach itself has a problem.
However, I don't think i've ever seen a manual that got a tach stock. Just autos. Maybe a previous owner put the tach in hoping it would work, but forgot to swap in the necessary printed circuit board. You'd have to pull the entire gauge cluster out to be able to tell, though.
Other than that, your tach gets its signals from the wiring harness and a large plug that goes into the back of your gauge cluster. There aren't separate wires for it that you can track down. My guess would be the tach itself has a problem.
However, I don't think i've ever seen a manual that got a tach stock. Just autos. Maybe a previous owner put the tach in hoping it would work, but forgot to swap in the necessary printed circuit board. You'd have to pull the entire gauge cluster out to be able to tell, though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
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From: Sheffield, AL
My 1986 with 4.9L and SROD has a tachometer. I purchased it from the original owner and received historical paperwork [nice!]. The tachometer in my truck was installed by the dealer.
Trivia: A friend of mine who is a Ford Technician and has been since the early 80's has told me that it was not unusual for them [technicians] to install tachometers and change rear end ratios and to change from open to limited slip differentials [new trucks].
The tachometer installation also included a new printed circuit for the instrument cluster.
Trivia: A friend of mine who is a Ford Technician and has been since the early 80's has told me that it was not unusual for them [technicians] to install tachometers and change rear end ratios and to change from open to limited slip differentials [new trucks].
The tachometer installation also included a new printed circuit for the instrument cluster.
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